Vehicle Description
The very best cars you can buy are those that were restored for
love rather than profit. This 1956 Ford Fairlane Victoria, for
instance, easily cost two or three times the asking price to
procure, preserve, and restore it to the wonderful condition you
see today, and the labor of love behind the effort didn't care one
bit about the staggering cost. The result is an exquisite
restoration of a somewhat rare Blue Oval classic that's just
off-the-charts amazing.
Initially restored in 2000 when the car was purchased by the
current owner, this beautiful Vicky was done right, and after 7k
miles of enjoyment, it went through another refreshing in 2020 for
good measure. The two-tone color combination on this lovely
Fairlane is Peacock Blue and Colonial White, an unusual and
perfectly charming 1950s look. Fit and finish are top
driver-quality and the investment in time and labor is obvious
everywhere you look. The hood, trunk, and sides were all repainted
with 5 coats of acrylic lacquer and then color sanded, and the roof
was left alone to shine in all of its original glory. The result is
impressive, and even though the roof shows a few signs of age, the
car has an all-together, complete look that really works. And the
body is laser straight too, with doors that fit flush, smooth
fenders and quarters that are free of distortions, and a soft glow
on the body that looks exactly right on the 1950s Ford. Dramatic
side trim was a Ford look in the mid-50s and it gives this car a
very upscale look and also provides the perfect breaking point for
the two-tone paint, and I've always particularly enjoyed the way
the headlight rings wrap around into the hood. There's probably
thousands worth of chrome on this rare hardtop, too, with brilliant
bumpers, shiny stainless with a lot of detail, and correct emblems
including the delicate 'Victoria' script on the doors.
The two-tone Colonial White and Blue interior is equally impressive
and the elegant materials and cool bright colors are most
definitely correct for 1956. The two-door hardtop is what most
folks prefer over a 'post' car, and there's plenty of room front
and rear for full-sized adults. Both bench seats fore and aft wear
correct patterns and that beautiful upholstery is matched with
beautifully stitched door panels at the flanks. The gauges will
probably look familiar to anyone who has driven an early 2-seat
Thunderbird and the color-matched blue steering wheel and
wrap-around dash are both beautifully finished. Correct blue
carpets and a taut headliner are tope end details that make it feel
complete inside and there's very little wear inside since the work
was completed. Like most of these Tri-5s from the era options are
limited, but you do get a factory AM radio (not currently working),
seatbelts, a heater, and power steering that work together to
improve the driving experience. There's also a massive trunk in
back, making this an ideal road trip car, and it's finished back to
stock.
A Thunderbird-spec 292 cubic inch V8 was planted under the hood and
it gives the hardtop sparkling road manners. Supremely smooth at
idle and energetic enough to make this heavy cruiser feel quick,
it's a bit of performance in an otherwise fairly conservative
package. Complete with an oil-bath air cleaner, 4-barrel carb,
bright Ford Red paint on the block, and black Thunderbird valve
covers, it looks racy under the hood. Lots of recent engine work
included adjusting the valves to .018, tweaking the oil flow to the
rocker arms, a newer dual master cylinder, power steering and an
electric fuel pump, so this Ford is running in tip-top shape. A
Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission makes the most of the engine's
broad torque curve and there are easy-cruising gears out back.
You'll also note that the underside of the car nicely finished with
signs of work throughout, including the burbling dual exhaust
system that makes wonderful sounds going down the road. Diamondback
whitewall radials are fitted to painted steel wheels further
adorned with bright chrome hubcaps, and they do a great job to
finish off the period-perfect look.
Documented with a thick folder full of restoration pics and build
receipts, along with an original warranty card and owner's manual,
this Fairlane Victoria is nicely pedigreed. A true labor of love,
this car is exceptional in every way and it shows. Call today!
